No Boating, But Still An Adventure!

No boating last weekend because I was off selling my soap at a local Art Festival.  That was Saturday.  Sunday was Father's Day and my moms birthday had come and gone during the week.  We headed over to their house for a lunch time BBQ, thus no boating.  But that happens.  Summer comes on strong and fast here.  Lots to do in a short amount of time.  Some things have to be set aside and "blown off" so we can get out on the water, others are important and can't be ignored. 

It was a super windy day and we wouldn't have been able to go out anyway. Very gusty.  Well, maybe YOU would have gone sailing, but not ME!  I don't like it when it's like that. 

While I was selling soap ( Link here to my soap blog:  CASCO BAY SOAP CO.)  Captain did head out to the boat to work on a few things.  He had taken the cockpit table off last weekend and brought it home to sand and varnish it.  He worked on it during the week after work and got it so very nice and shiny!  He went back to the boat Saturday and installed it.  He removed another piece, a drink holder that the compass was also mounted on, and brought that home.  That piece is in the process of sanding and varnish this week. 

While working on the boat Saturday, Captain noticed a 31 foot power boat coming his way.  Now remember we are on a mooring in the Harraseeket River surrounded by lots of other boats attached to their moorings. He watched the boat as it ran over one of my lobster buoys (more on that hobby later).  He wondered, what is he doing, running over lobster pots?  Then the boat came only within 10' of our boat and captain saw that no one was on board!   Off the boat went, down the river on one super windy day.  Captain jumped in the lobster skiff  and took off after the boat, hoping to stop it from crashing into other boats and collect it before it ran aground.  Once he caught up to the boat he wondered how he would handle this.  The power boat had indeed reached the shore and had grounded.  He wrapped some ropes around the bow and pulled it back out to the center of the river.  Meanwhile he called our Marina and alerted them of the run-a-way boat.  They were on their way.  The Marina took it back to the docks, with much difficulty, again the wind.   After some super sleuthing, it was figured out who the boat used to belong to, who sold it and who the new owner was.  Concern was now whether or not the boat broke free from it's mooring or someone fell off and was in the water.  Luckily the owners were home and headed right down to collect their boat and no one had fallen off. 

Captain spoke with the boat owners and told them his tale of "rescuing" their boat.  He also told them that he thought according to Maritime Salvage Law, if you find it, you claim it!  He was joking of course and wished the couple well. 

New Bedding For The Boat

New boat = new stuff! 

I'm tired of hodge podge decorating. I wanted to have some cool new stuff for the boat.  I know that not many people will see it, but I wanted some new fresh and MATCHING items for the boat.  I started with the bedding. 

I couldn't believe when I found this adorable bedding for the boat.  This super cute cotton quilt is reversible. Stripes on one side and SAND DOLLARS (!) on the other.   In bright white, fresh green and beautiful blue, it is perfect for a new look for the boat.  I'm loving it!

Organizing & Cleaning

More cleaning and organizing on board Sea Mist.  I think we have finally got it all squared away.  I have put bins and baskets in the Aft berth to hold all sorts of extra "stuff".  We manage to have alot of that.  Extra foul weather gear, several rolls of paper towels, extra kitchen supplies, some packaged foods (chips, crackers, tuna), beach towels, first aid kit, paper goods etc..  I still need to find some plates and bowls to eat off of.  I would like to get some real plates and not always eat off of paper.  While paper is convenient and easy, I don't like throwing soo much stuff away.  I can wash dishes on board, so I should.  I also don't want to get the plastic outdoor decorative plates.  I'm concerned that after a few passes with a serrated steak knife, they are just going to be gouged up. 

Captain spent time cleaning out and organizing the port lazarette.  Life jackets, throwable cushions and other important supplies are in there.  He installed our CD player.  And the biggest thing (I think) is he removed one of the hatches and took off all the old cracked seal and put a new seal on.  We have some water that came into the boat after the last couple of hard rains and he suspects that it was coming in through this hatch with an old, poor seal. 

THEN finally (!) we took a break.  Cocktails were in order along with a Van Halen CD.  Captain fired up the gas grill and we enjoyed the sunset.  

There's Captain down below mixing up drinks.

Captain surprised me and bought me this cute pink tank top!  It is from one of our favorite boating magazines, Lattitudes and Attitudes.  http://www.seafaring.com/

I was hoping to use my super awesome new boat oven, and Captain worked really hard to figure out how to get it to work.  We couldn't get it lit.  To his credit, he even read the manual!  This is rare!  He usually just jumps right in to tries to figure stuff out.  At last he figured out, we were simply out of gas!  An easy fix. But tonights dinner would be improvised. 

Fortunately I brought a cast iron skillet to saute veggies.  I was planning on pizza.  So, I just cooked the veggies in the skillet first on the gas grill and then took them out.  Then sprayed the pan good with cooking spray and stretched the pizza dough and dropped it right in.  I cooked it on both sides first then added sauce and toppings. The only down side was I couldn't create high oven heat to super melt the cheese on top.   But the pizza was delicious! 

See ya next weekend! 

My Lighthouse Pictures

I saw a total of 6 lighthouses along our trip.  It was quite fun to keep an eye out for the next one around the corner.  Here are my pictures.  Remember some of them are from far, far away and I had to zoom in with my camera to get a shot.  AND there was all that hazy smoke from the fires in Canada.

The Portsmouth Harbor Light ~ Portsmouth, NH.

Whaleback Light ~ Kittery, ME

Nubble Lighthouse ~ Cape Neddick, ME

Wood Island Light ~ Biddeford Pool, Me

Two Lights, Scarborough, ME

Portland Head Lighthouse ~ Cape Elizabeth, ME

Smoke On The Water...

So there we were, way out at sea in our new boat and Captain says "do you smell smoke"?  "Yes, I say".  "What is that"?  Hmmm, we wonder, is it the boat? 

We do listen to the radio often and switch between local talk between boaters, the marine weather and the Coast Guard channel.    We did receive a report that smoke had drifted into the region from over 20 wildfires in Quebec.  Quebec as in Canada!  Whew!  At least it wasn't us! 

These wildfires had caused the rest of the weekend to be hazy.  Reports of smoke made it all the way down to MA, RI and CT.  Amazing!

From Our Mooring

From our mooring on the Harraseeket River in Freeport we see this on one side.  Our neighbors have a sailboat entirely made of wood.  Highly varnished, bright and shiny.  It's a very pretty boat.   A Concordia Yawl.

And this on the other.  An Osprey nest.  There is a baby (or 2, we can't tell for sure) in the nest!

Both beautiful views. 

Day 2, Headed Home

Beginning of day 2 was delightful.  Weather report was good, but gust were expected, there was a small craft advisory for Casco Bay.   Before we headed out of Biddeford Pool Captain put a reef in the main sail.  We can easily take it out later on, but it is not something you want to put in while the wind is blowing and you are bouncing around on the sea.   I also made us sandwiches BEFORE we left the mooring. 

Off we go, back through the narrow opening from Biddeford Pool to the open Atlantic.  No problems.  Sails up. 

I feel great.  No signs of sea sickness today, but just to be sure I have the Sea Bands on and have taken 2 Dramamine. captain has also taken Dramamine as the gusty winds that are predicted have put us on alert.  Today we will be sailing out a bit further from shore and we may experience even more swells.

(I did an awesome job of taking this picture of me and Captain!  I'll try again next time).

But a las, no trouble.  Fairly uneventful!  We are making fantastic time as the winds are in our favor.  I am glad Captain put the reef in the main as we are really moving along and the gust are big at times.  We tend to experience a shift in wind direction up here in Maine and we did indeed experience it more than once on this day.  We made fantastic time for the first 3 hours, sailing 5 knots or so consistently.   But at the end of hour 3, the wind shifts and we need to motor a bit to keep us on our course.  Sails are still up and occasionally we get a good bit of wind to push us along. 

Lots to look at.  We had left early so we enjoyed watching many lobster men hauling their traps.  Other sailboats about our size were out enjoying the wind.  

(You can see the coast, very far away).

Once we crossed over from Saco Bay into Casco Bay, I kind-of sighed a breath of relief.  Casco Bay is what we know. This was going to be easy.   We pointed out the landmarks we could see from our distance and watched the familiar ports slide by.  Casco Bay has many many islands.  We navigated past the large islands, and pointed out the smaller ones.   Wind did pick up in Casco Bay, but it was not consistent as the island tend to block some of the wind.  We know that once we get just about past an island, here comes the wind again.

There are several times during this trip that I did take the wheel.  Captain needs a break every now and then.  The restroom, to put on a sweatshirt, fix something on deck.  He could (and sometimes does) put on the auto pilot, but I can sail to ya know.  And auto pilot doesn't see lobster buoys, or another boat.   I sailed quite a bit as we approached our harbor. 

(Me, behind the wheel in Casco Bay).

Sails came down during our approach to our harbor in Freeport.  It was extremely gusty.  There were racing sailboats out in the harbor and a small craft advisory had been reported on the radio reports.  We were glad that we were coming in.  We watched with open mouths as a sailboat ahead of us, heeled over with the rails int he water, kept heeling over and dipped it's sails in the water.  It bounced right back up and quickly they took their sails down. 

I wondered out loud if anyone from our old boat club would be on their boats today and see us sail by with the new boat.  And wouldn't you know, Norm was there to wave hello!  We motored on by and up the river and I scrambled on deck to grab the mooring pennant.   We were home.

(Pound Of Tea Island.  Which, by the way, is called that because it was purchased from the Indians for a pound of tea)!

(Our familiar harbor in Freeport).

(One of the many local lobster boats.  This one named Go Gettah)!

Very End Of Day 1, Biddeford Pool

The Biddeford Pool Yacht Club manager was kind enough to motor out to greet us, make sure we were all set, then offer us a ride  to shore.  It was nice to get our legs on the firm ground after 9 hours of up and down.  Captain had wanted to show me the yacht club anyway.  It was beautiful.  There is a quaint little store, a take out place and lots of nice seating on the water.  There is a beach, although we didn't head over there.  Honestly, we were dead tired.  We got our ride back to Sea Mist within a quick hour. 

(This is looking back towards how we came into Biddeford Pool, note the narrow navigation).

(Biddeford Pool.  Sunset and dinner in the cockpit.  See, I'm just fine)!

Captain mixed up some cocktails and I dug out the makings for an easy dinner.  Cheese, crackers, some local pepperoni (delicious) that I bought at the Farmers Market, olives, you know basic stuff.  Another boat slid in at the mooring next to us just before dusk.  Beautiful.  

(Our only neighbors in Biddeford Pool).

Captain and I were soo very tired. Bedtime loomed.  It was 8:30 and we were in bed and it was still light out!  I reached over and placed my hand on Captains back, just to see if he was still alive!  Not a single snore was coming from him, he was fast asleep. 

Heading Into Biddeford Pool, End Of Day 1

Plan A was still in order as we headed into to Biddeford Pool at the end of Day 1.  It had taken us about 9 hours to get here.  Captain had previous driven to Biddeford Pool and met with the Biddeford Pool Yacht Club manager and they had talked about our trip and our arrival on this Saturday night.  We gave him a call and sure enough, he was expecting us and had a mooring ready.  He had also told Captain earlier that at low tide, it was low.  Really low.  Current was great when entering Biddeford Pool.  Caution was to be taken and follow the chart, guidebooks, GPS, depth finder, all of it! 

I helped guide us in. Captains eyes were glued to the GPS unit and the approach to the harbor.  My job was to call out the depth meter readings and repeat (and repeat again and again) the paragraph in the guidebook on navigating the harbor.    Sea Mist can go in as little at 4.5' of water.  My calls of the depth meter reading made me nervous, 9', 8', 7.5'.  Yikes.  Captain called the Yacht Club manager again.  He asked just how low does it get?  He reassured us that we had "plenty" of water around our mooring.  We spotted mooring ball #87 and I stepped up on deck, grabbed the boat hook and successfully grabbed the mooring on the first try.  We had made it.  Day 1 and we made it on our new boat. 

Headed out of Pepperell Cove, Kittery. Day 1

We got out of the cove safely (no crazy current issues) and hoisted the main sail and unfurled the fore sail.  Beautiful start to the day.  Not too warm.   But I guess that is all in who you are.  I was wearing jeans, socks and sneakers and a long sleeve t-shirt.  Captain was in shorts and a t-shirt.  

The forecast was for 70's with some clouds.  This was actually good.  We both didn't need to get dehydrated or sunburned on our first day out.  We headed out, pretty far off shore, although I could still recognize some structures.  Like the beach front mansion and a lighthouse.  The seas were a getting a bit big for me.  Big swells. 

(Nothing but the great wide ocean off to the East)!

I was the navigator and eagerly accepted this position.  Captain would read off the longitude and latitude and I would mark it on the chart.  We would search around for a landmark or a can or buoy in the water and  would check it all on the chart.  I was plotting our course very well every hour and drawing it on the chart with a pencil.  It was very cool to see how far we were traveling.

Something had to be done up on deck and I volunteered.   I headed up and fooled around with something on the mast (I can't remember what it was and you will see why in a minute).  After my task, I laid down on the beautiful white sunny deck.  But I started to get very hot.  The sun was hot on my face, but I was getting hot all over.  I quickly sat up and headed back to the cockpit.   Ugh. I don't feel well.  I tried laying down again. Then I got really really hot.   I started taking off my clothes!  Long sleeved shirt, off!  Sneakers and socks, off!  At this point I was tyring to be cool and not tell Captain.  And then he said, "I'm getting chilly I think I need my sweatshirt".  Ugh.  I was sick.  Sea sick.  This is what happens to me when I am going to be really sick.  I get really hot.   I almost took of my pants and sat there in my underwear, I was SO HOT!    Captain was sailing along, and I was fishing around my wrist for my elastic to hold back my hair.  Next thing I knew, I was getting sick and throwing up overboard.  Captain looked a bit shocked and very very concerned.  I hadn't told him that I wasn't feeling well, as I was tyring to be cool.  Those swells!  Those darn swells!  Now, before you tell me about Sea Bands, I was wearing them.  Before you ask about Dramamine, I had taken one.  It was bad out there!  Captain quickly handed me these chalky pills that you chew to help with an upset stomach, I felt much better.  I put my clothes back on.   I have never gotten sick on board before.  And really this must must must be the last time, it was no fun.    It was most likely caused from the swells and my working on the charts.

I was feeling much better and Captain put the boat on auto pilot and headed to the galley to search around for some quick food for us to eat for lunch.  There was no way that I was going down below to make up sandwiches in these swells after being sick.  Note to self (and actually out loud to Captain):  Make sandwiches before leaving port, as you never know what the seas will bring about!

The rest of the trip on day 1 was just fine.  Beautiful views of the shore.  I took several photos of lighthouses and we enjoyed a brief moment of relaxation when Captain put the boat on autopilot and went on deck to check on something.  He called me up to sit beside him and we enjoyed 5 minutes of quiet together time just sailing over the sea. 

Off We Go!

Up early in Freeport, to take the drive to Kittery.  We left Freeport at 6:00 am.  Our departure time was all depending on the tides.  Captain had determined when the low tide was in Kittery, and the best time for us to get through a tricky area were the water and current ran very fast and furious.  He wanted to get through that particular area during a slack tide (the small amount of time in between tides) to make it the easiest for us. 

We arrived in Kittery on time and parked his car and left a float plan on the dash.  We informed the Kittery Harbor Master of our plans to return in 3 days to retrieve Captains car, after that, start looking for us!  (By the way, we had to drive my car to the Freeport marina the night before and I HAD to remember to bring my keys, or we had NO way to get home from the marina at the end of the trip, put a float plan on my dash as well.  LOTS to think about)!

We put our gear into the dingy and Captain made one trip out to the boat without me.  He came back for me and the rest of the gear.  AWESOME.  The dingy motor was not working.  Captain had to do alot of rowing.  Thank goodness for that slack tide.   

(Looking around in Kittery, Pepperell Cove before we leave).

(Here is Captain, or at least the back half of him, securing our dingy).

Earlier in the week, Captain had made a trip down to the boat with gear that I thought we would need on board but we didn't need to bring on this Saturday.  He brought cases of water, paper goods, TOILET PAPER, bedding, hats, sunscreen etc.   During that trip, he and the previous boat owner took the boat out for a spin.  Captain learned the ins and outs of the boat motor and they actually moved the boat from one location to another.  This move was tricky as they had to pass under 2 bridges.  He told me that you actually call the bridge and have to tell them how tall your mast is so they raise the bridge the proper height!  The current ran STRONG through this area and Captain was happy that he and I would NOT be taking the boat through it.  He told the previous owner that was the first and last time he would ever sail that area. 

We were all set to go.  While I stashed stuff below, Captain got the motor started, secured the dingy and we got ready to motor on our way out of the cove.  On our way out, I watched lobster men ready their boats for a day of hauling.   A few boaters climbed out of their cabins with a coffee mug in hand after a night sleeping in the harbor. 

Sea Mist Inspection Before We Purchased

I'm more of the writer here, between the Captain and I. But I am going to try to get him to write a bit about the inspection we had on Sea Mist before we agreed to purchase her and some minor repairs that had to be done before she could be ours. 

Captain had the inspection done by the same extremely qualified surveyor that inspected Boat #1 (remember, he had recommend we don't buy that other boat).   A few minor issues that could be easily fixed came up. 

Hang in there for The Captains Report........

I had a good friend and very qualified surveyor, Mark Corke survey Sea Mist for a pre-purchase inspection.  The boat was lying ashore at a marina in Eliot Maine.  He quickly noticed that the prop shaft had way too much play which meant that the cutless bearing needed to be replaced prior to launching.  A local marine mechanic was located and replaced the cutless bearing.  Normally I do my own repairs but the owner of the boat agreed to absorb the cost of the bearing replacement.  Replacing the bearing is a fairly large job but not impossible for a do-it-yourselfer, in fact Mark the surveyor has a boating blog with a great blog about how to replace cutless bearings. (http://www.onboardwithmarkcorke.com/)  This was the only major issue that we found during the survey.  There were several small issues that I will correct during the season and through next winter.  Fortunately, I enjoy working on boats, and have no problem repairing/updating while the boat is on the mooring.  I am not one to sit and relax when aboard, I always have to putter (Undoubtedly I got that from my Dad who never stops).  I look forward to updating Sea Mist and getting her ready for extended cruising along the beautiful Maine coast this summer and fall!

Bringing Sea Mist Home...

(Don't I look relaxed!?  Not at all relaxed at the beginning of the trip. But I was putting on a brave face.)

Our biggest hurdle was bringing Sea Mist to her home port, Freeport.   She was down in Kittery and while you can drive from Kittery to Freeport in a little over an hour, sailors know that it takes much, much longer to sail the ocean blue. 

Captain planned and plotted, studied the charts, watched the weather for over a week.  We planned on bringing Sea Mist home on Memorial Day weekend.  This would allow us extra time (time off from work, really)  in case we needed it. 

Captain knew that I was nervous and a friend did offer to sail the boat home with him and therefore leaving me behind. But I knew that he really wanted me to come along for the adventure.  We have not done much long distance cruising, mostly day trips and a stay overnight somewhere in Casco Bay.  This would essentially force us to cruise and to get over the newness of it.    I was indeed nervous.  Heading out on the ocean in a boat we were unfamiliar with, sailing in an area we had never sailed in before.  But Captain carefully showed me his plans, which included a Plan A and a Plan B.  I was confident in his skills and gave myself a pep talk.  Really, Shannon, what is the worst that could happen?  Wait, don't answer that!  Just go!

Introducing, Sea Mist

She is a 35.5' Irwin Citation.

There goes Compass Rose

In case you don't know what it looks like when a big ole' truck comes and hauls your boat away....